British Museum strikers: Custodians of culture and history
With thousands of schools closed, train services disrupted, and NHS staff on strike, the UK has recently witnessed its biggest wave of industrial action in over a decade.
Amongst those on the picket lines are staff at the British Museum, campaigning for improved pay, pensions, and working conditions as part of a wider campaign being run by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). The week-long PCS strike closed the museum’s doors to the general public between February 13 and 19.
Staff were at breaking point, with more than 86% of PCS members who participated in a recent national vote in favour of action. It coincided with school half-term holidays, as PCS members, primarily security personnel and members of the visitor services teams, went on strike.
The museum’s visitor services and security teams comprised of over 100 employees walked out, and 15 of its “eye-opener” tours had been cancelled. As a result, the museum was only open to ticket holders and museum members.
The museum also stated that galleries closed early or at short notice as a result of the action. Hundreds of visitors had to wait in a queue that stretched around the block. Initially, entry was only available for pre-booked ticket holders. By the fifth day of action, the museum had closed its doors entirely.
More than 30 PCS members joined the picket line on February 16th, receiving lots of public support and visits including from Labour MP John McDonnell, who tweeted: “It’s shaming that this historic institution is being operated on the basis of low pay for these professional and dedicated staff. Please join their picket lines Saturday and Sunday mornings this coming weekend.”
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The main reason for the strikes was pay. The museum had provided these employees with a 4.3% wage increase, which is significantly less than the official inflation rate of about 10%. Workers in the culture sector in London are finding it difficult to make ends meet due to this significant real-terms wage drop.
“People come to the museum with interest. But it is a shame that there is such a high turnover rate in this sector because of the poor pay and harsh working conditions.”
The British Museum is free to enter and open every day except for a few major holidays. A representative of the University and College Union (UCU), which is backing the PCS action, said: “The work these staff to do to make the museum run is exemplary, so I’m so glad to see them on strike standing up for fair pay and conditions. The museum needs them and should pay them fairly.”
Humza, the vice chair of the PCS British Museum branch said: “People come to the museum with interest. But it is a shame that there is such a high turnover rate of staff in this sector because of the poor pay and harsh working conditions.
“We share our knowledge with visitors. But the government is not valuing our work in the culture sector. We are custodians of culture and history, and will fight to be heard for our future generations. More people won’t be able to access culture and will be kept out if this continues.”
It was not just at the British Museum. The Wallace Collection, Historic England, National Museum Scotland, and the National Museum of Liverpool are a few examples of other cultural institutions where PCS members have taken strike action.
People want a fair deal for all members across the UK’s museums, galleries, libraries, and for culture workers in the civil service. The national institutions were nothing without the workers who keep them running.
When workers come together to demand better wages and working conditions, they are exercising their right to fair treatment and advocating for a more just and equitable society.
Solidarity with workers who are fighting for a decent wage is an important expression of support for these efforts and a recognition of he value of their contributions to the economy and society as a whole.